Page 125 of Mated to the Wolves

The coppery scent of blood fills the air and the stalking wolf howls as blood lust hits. Back on my legs, I take off once more.

Knocked flat onto my belly, the breath is knocked from my lungs. His clamps down on my neck. Imbedding his sharp teeth deeper into my flesh, he pins me. His hard length against my belly.

No! No! No! I buck against him, but he holds firm. I throw myself side to side to knock him free.

He issues a mental alpha command that paralyzes me. Something clicks within me. A strength unlike anything I’ve felt before ramps up.

Rising I throw him off me, tearing his teeth free along with a chunk of my flesh. Scrambling, I turn.

He stands, shaking his head to clear it. Cadoc bounds into the clearing like a warrior. Bigger than the last time I saw him, he leaps onto my attacker, sinking his teeth into his nape and jerks, shaking him like a rag doll until his neck snaps.

Cadoc licks at my wounds and I shiver. I lean into him, accepting comfort.

A lone howl that sends chills pierces the air. It’s a call to retreat. Leaning against him heavily I close my eyes and take in his scent to stave off my breakdown.

The others join Cadoc, lapping at my wounds. They lend me strength. Cadoc steps away and Kirk nudges my flank as the exhaustion hits. Tears blurring my vision, I tremble as I think of what almost happened.

Brushing their bodies against mine, they mark me with their scents. The she-wolf latches on to the comfort as I take a backseat.

Together, they herd me back to the house, keeping me in the circle of their strength. I shift back on the porch and enter the home with the code, making a beeline for the spa room.

Stripping down, I crank the heat in the shower up and step under the scalding spray. Flooding a loofah with body wash I scrub at my skin, desperate to rid myself of the stain my attacker left behind.

The tentative hold I have on control breaks and my legs give way. Soul bleeding, I slide to the bottom of the shower. Violated and angry, I’m a mess of emotions. Tears pour down my face. Shoulders shaking, I sob until I choke.

I came so close to being claimed against my will and violated. I never want to feel that helpless again.

“Ylva.” I recognize Fell’s voice.

I wrap my arms around my legs and rest my head on my knees.

“The water is too hot, Yl.”

“No. I have to get it off.”

“What off?” Fell steps into my line of vision, turning off the shower.

“His filthy touch.”

“He’s dead, sweet girl. He’ll never touch you again.” Fell rests his hands on my knees. “You’re not dirty.”

I hiccup. “That’s how I feel.”

“Oh, sweet girl.” He sighs. “Can I hold you?”

I peer into the green eyes of the man who’d been my best friend longer than he’d been my enemy and nod. He pulls me onto his lap and I bury my face in his neck. He rocks us back and forth.

“It’s going to not be okay.” Running his hands down my back, he infuses warmth into my body. I feel cold, despite the blistering heat of the water. Inside the circle of his arms, I break.

Bo’s voice comes from nearby. “What did you do to her?”

Sniffling, I lean back. “Nothing.”

Bo crouches beside us. “What happened?” His eyes burn with a dark fire.

“I—”

“She had to fight off that massive bastard Cadoc killed.”

---